Lock and key



June 19, 1951 J. RIFKIN 2,557,565

LOCK AND KEY Filed Oct. 6, 1945 INVEN TOR Jami iii 11w n'rTORNEYS Patented June 19, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LOCK AND KEY Jacob Rifkin, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Application October 6, 1945, Serial No. 620,801

21 Claims. l

The invention relates to a lock which utilizes a destructible key to seal or look the same. In order to open or release the lock the key must be destroyed or particularly an exposed portion thereof torn from the rest of the key. Such a lock and key mechanism is designed not to prevent opening or release of the lock but merely to indicate immediately that the destructible key or look has been tampered with so as to place responsibility therefor. The invention also relates to a new combination of a destructible key and lock as well as to the novel key.

The invention has particular applicability for use with fabricmoney pouches which are now sealed by a cord wrapped around the mouth of the pouch and a device for sealing the cord. In order to open such a sealed pouch the cord is cut and all too frequently the pouch is out too which means rapid destruction thereof. Moreover the seal is not reusable which means that each sealing operation constitutes a relatively expensive item. The invention herein is releasable without damage to the pouch and the only unusable or destructible item in the construction is the key which is an inexpensive element to replace.

An object of the invention is to construct a new and novel lock or seal which efiectively seals a bag, pouch or other receptacle but; is easily opened: and utilizes an inexpensive key as the destructible element so that the lock itself may be used an indefinite number of times. An inexpensive key is the only part which needs to be replaced for each sealing or locking of the receptacle.

Another object of the invention is to construct a new and novel lock utilizing a destructible key inwhich the lock has no movable parts.

Another object is to construct a new combination of lock and destructible key for looking or sealing bags, receptacles and the like.

A still further object of the invention is to construct a lock utilizing a destructible key in which locking of the key within the lock is accomplished by lateral displacement of a portion of the key.

Another object is to construct a lock utilizing a destructible key which key has a portion thereof displaced in two directions such that displacement in one direction locks the same in the lock and in the other direction releases or permits withdrawing of the key from the lock.

. Another object is to construct a new and novel destructible key.

;Other objects of the invention will be more apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings illustrating preferred embodiments of the invention in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the lock sealing the mouth of a pouch. I

Figure 2 is a section through the lock taken on line 2-2 of Figure 3 with the destructible key inserted and retained therein.

Figure 3 is a section through the lock without the key taken on line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a sectional view through the lock showing the head of the destructible key torn off and the shank of the key being removed from the lock.

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view of another form of the lock.

Figure 6 is a sectional view of the lock of Figure 5 taken on line 6-6 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a partial view of locking shoulders which function separately.

The lock comprises a lock body I!) having a locking slot ll extending therethrough which locking slot preferably includes an entrance passage l2 of enlarged size which will pass the enlarged loop L of a locking element. Any construction of locking slot which permits the looking element to be inserted therein is contemplated. The locking element illustrated in Figure 1 is a link of a chain although it is clear that the locking element may be any projection having an enlarged portion which cannot pass through the locking slot. It is obvious that the enlarged portion may be outside of the lock body as illustrated or may be retained within thelock body.

The locking element or chain is inserted in the look through the entrance passage l2 after which it is moved sidewise to bring the narrow portion of a chain element into the narrow portion of the key obstructs the locking slot or particularly the. So long as the key is within the key slot, the locking element can-- entrance passage l2 thereof.

not be removed or unloosened. The key slot has a relatively wide portion [6 at the entrance end: thereof. A projection l1 extendsinto the key slot from one side thereof within the lock body. Preferably the entrance end of the projection,;

3 that is the end of the slot into which the key is inserted, has a camming surface I8. If desired the exit end IQ of the key slot may have a width closely approximating the width of the destructible key, in which case the key slot has a camming edge on the exit end of the key slot from the projection. Opposite the projection l! is an upwardly extending clearance or recess 2|. The edge of the lock body may have a groove 22 to engage the head of the key to support the same against inadvertent bending and breaking off of the head of the key when it is within the lock.

The destructible key has a shank 24 and a shoulder formed by a head 25 upon the end of the shank. The key carries a bendable or hinged projection 26 upon the end of which is an abutting shoulder 2'i extending in a crosswise direction with respect to the shank of the key. The key carries a recess 28 upon one side of the projection. The distance between the shoulder formed by the head 25 upon the end of the key and the shoulder 21 on the bendable projection of the key is closely equal to the distance between the bottom of the groove 22 or edge of the lock body and the locking shoulder 23 formed by the projection ll.

The bendable or hinged projection 26 upon the key' is preferably formed at an angle with respect to the key and directed towards the head although this is not essential. The angular relation enables a longer and hence more flexible projection to be provided. It also renders the projection more flexible for bending in a direction in the plane of the key. The edge of the projection provides an angular or camming edge for cooperation with the camming edge 20 of the key slot.

.When it is desired to lock the locking element within the key the same is inserted in the looking slot I I. If it is a pouch which is to be sealed the chain is drawn tightly around the mouth thereof and the proper link of the chain is secured in the locking slot. The destructible key is then inserted into the key slot which then ob-, structs the locking slot or particularly the entrance'passage thereof. The bendable projection 26 carried by the key engages the camming surface [8 and is bent or hinged laterally or sidewise with respect to the key. When the shoulder formed by the edge of the head of the key engages the bottom of the groove 22 in the edge of the lock body, the abutting shoulder 21 on thekey projection just passes the locking should'er' 23 on the locking projection and it snaps behind the shoulder. The key is then locked within the lock body against removal therefrom.

If anyone attempts to withdraw the key without destroying the same or tearing off the head such as by slipping a thin metallic strip or blade into the key slot from the exit end thereof, the bendable projection cannot be bent inwardly thereby in the plane of the key because the locking shoulder 23 and the abutting shoulder 21 on the key projection prevents the same from swinging or being bent inwardly to release the key. By a like token the key slot does not provide sufiicient room so that the bendable key projection can be bent laterally or sidewise in order to remove the projection from behind theprojection 11. v It is impossible therefore to bend the bendable projection in order to release or remove the key from the key slot. The onlymanner in which the lock can'be opened or-the locking element can be released is to tearofi the head 25 of the key and thenpull the shank 24 of the key out through the exit end of the key slot. In removing the shank of the key, the bendable key projection engages the camming edge 20 which forces the same into the recess 28 so that the shank of the key can be withdrawn. In order to again seal the look a new key is used.

It will be observed that the locking shoulder 23 and the abutting shoulder 21 upon the key projection performs a double function namely, they prevent withdrawal of the key after it has once been fully inserted within the lock and it also prevents the key projection 26 from being bent or swung inwardly to release the same. It is not esential that these two functions be performed by a single element or shoulder and it is contemplated that the functions may be performed by separate elements upon the lock and key or by separate shoulders.

Even Without the reduced or narrow width of the key slot at the exit end it would be extremely difiicult if not impossible to bend thebendable is desirable, however, in order to assure positivelythat the destructible key cannot be unlocked or released and withdrawn without tearing off the head from the key.

Another form of construction of lock is 1llus-.-.

trated in Figure 5 which uses the same destructie ble key. In the construction, a locking shoulder 32 is provided upon the opposite 'side of the key slot from the projection 33 within the key slot so that it is independent of the projection. The,

projection 33 provides means for bending the bendable projection of the key laterally and holding it bent. Here again the distance from the edge of the lock body or the bottom of the groove which receives the head of the key to the shoulder 32 closely approximates the space between the shoulder formed by the edge of the head 25'of the key and the abutting shoulder 21 on the bendable projection of the key.

In the operation of the construction of ;Fig-' ures 5 and 6, the locking element is inserted as previously described and the destructible key'is inserted in the entrance end of the key slot The projection 33'engages the bendable projection and bends it laterally or sidewise so that when the shoulder on' the head of the key engages the bot-' tom of the slot 22 or the edge of the lock body, the

shoulder 21 on the bendable projection 26 snapsbehind the locking shoulder 32 and thereby locks the key within the key slot. inserted from the exit side of the key slot cannot bend the projection into the recess 28 be-' cause it is prevented by the shoulder 32. It is also impossible to insert a tool or blade to bend the end of the projection 26 laterally to release the same from the shoulder 32. A camming edge:

function of preventing withdrawal of the key.

and preventing lateral displacement of the lock ing projection so that the key may be released.

Figure 7 illustrates a form of notch which re-' ceives the end of the bendable key projection 26 and has ashoulder 38 whose sole function is to prevent withdrawal of the key. Since this shoulder does not prevent lateral displacement Here again -a toolof the key projection it need not be accurately positioned or spaced with respect to the spacing between the shoulder upon the head of the key and the shoulder 21 on the projection. The shoulder 36 prevents lateral, sidewise or inward displacement of the projection and a shoulder 3'! on the other side may be provided if desired to prevent sidewise displacementin thatdirection; This form of notch may replace those shown in. Figures 1 through 6. For the constructionshown in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive the notch will be formed by the camming surface I! and in the construction shown in Figures 5 and 6 the notch is formed in, and as part of the recess 2| on the opposite side of the key slot from the camming surface 33 which holds the projection in the notch. With the notch of Figure 7, the projection on the key cannot be moved in any direction except the downward exit direction.

It will be observed therefore that a lock and destructible key is provided which bend the bendable or hinged projection in one direction to lock the key within the key slot and is bendable or hinged in another direction in order to release the bendable projection of the key. This provides therefore a two directional bend for the projection on the destructible key. The only way in which the lock can be opened is to tear oif the head of the key and withdraw the shank from the key slot.

The lock body preferably is manufactured in two parts, or plates so that the interior construction can be molded or otherwise formed by production methods. The two parts are then permanently secured together such as by rivets 35 or any other suitable method or means so that they cannot be taken apart The lock disclosed herein is particularly advantageous because it comprises fixed elements only. There are no movable parts to stick or get out of order. There is no assembly involved other than that entailed by securing together two lock body parts. There are no springs involved which may refuse to function. It is an extremely simple and inexpensive construction to manufacture since the parts can be molded or pressed by production methods.

The invention is presented to fill a need for improvements in a lock and key. It is understood that various modifications in structure, as well as changes in mode of operation, assembly, and manner of use, may and often do occur to those skilled in the art, especially after benefiting from the teachings of an invention. Hence, it will be understood that this disclosure is illustrative of preferred means of embodying the invention in useful form by explaining the construction, operation and advantages thereof.

What is claimed is:

' 1. A look utilizing a destructible key having a bendable projection extending beyond the side" edge thereof and adapted to receive a locking element having at least one enlargedportion comprising a lock body havin a lockin slot to re-. ceive and retain the locking element therein, a key slot in the lock body to receive the destructible key and located in the lock body so that the key obstructs the locking slot, the key slot having a width at its entrance end to pass the key and its projection, a shoulder in the key slot of the lock body, and means in the key slot to move the projection of the key sidewise when inserted within the key slot to enable the projection of the key to engage the shoulder.

' 2. A lock utilizing a destructible key having a:

bendable projection extending beyond the side edgethereof, and adapted to receive a locking element having at least one enlarged portion. comprising a lock body having a locking slot toreceive and retain the lockin element therein, av

key slot in the lock body to receive the destructible key and located in the lock body so that the key obstructs the locking slot, the key slot having.

" to engage the shoulder, and means on the exit side of the shoulder to engage and bend the pro jection inwardly in the plane of the key when withdrawing the same.

3. A look utilizing a destructible key having a bendable projection and adapted to receive a locking element having at least one enlarged portion comprising a lock body having a locking slot to receive and retain the lockin element therein, and a key slot to receive the destructible key and located in the lock bod so that the key obstructs the locking slot, a shoulder in the key slot of the lock body, and means in alignment with the shoulder and on the insert side thereof to move a portion of the key sidewise when inserted within the key slot to enable the portion of the 'key to ride over the shoulder and engage the same.

4. A look utilizing a destructible key having a' bendable projection extending beyond the side edge thereof and adapted to receive a locking element having at least one enlarged portion comprising a lock body having a locking slot to receive and retain the locking element therein, a key slot in the lock body to receive the destructible key and located in the lock body so that the key obstructs the locking slot, the key slot having a width at its entrance end to pass the key and its projection and an exit width approximately the width of the key, a shoulder within the lock body upon one side of the key slot, means on the other side of the key slot from the shoulder to move the projection of the key sidewise when inserted within the key slot to enable the projection of the key to engage the shoulder to prevent withdrawal of the key.

to receive and retain the locking element therein, and a key slot to receive the destructiblekey and located in the lock body so that the key ob-' structs the locking slot, a shoulder in the key slot of the lock body, means in alignment with the shoulder and on the insert side thereof to move a portion of the key sidewise when inserted within the key slot to enable the portion of the key to ride over the shoulder and engage the same, and means carried by the lock body on the exit side of the shoulder to engage and bend the projection inwardly in the plane of the key when withdrawing the same. Y

1 6.fA lock utilizing a destructible key having a 75,. key slot in the lock body to receive the destructielement having at least one enlarged portion comprising a lock body having a locking slot to re-.

ceive and retain the locking element therein, a

blekey and located in the lock body so that the key obstructs the locking slot, the key slot having a width at its entrance end to pass the key and its projection, a shoulder in the key slot of the lock body, and means in alignment with the shoulder and on the insert side thereof to move the projection of the key sidewise when inserted within the key slot to enable the projection of the key to ride over the shoulder and engage the same.

"7. A lock utilizing a destructible key having a bendable projection extending beyond the side edge thereof and adapted to receive a locking element having at least one enlarged portion comprising a lock body having a locking slot to receive and retain the locking element therein, a key slot in the lock body to receive the destructible key and located in the lock body so that the key obstructs the locking slot, the key'slot having a width at its entrance end to pass the key and its projection and an exit width approximately the width of the key, a shoulder in the key slot of the lock body, means in alignment with the shoulder and on the insert side thereof to move the projection of the key sidewise when inserted within the key slot to enable the projection of the key to ride over the shoulder and engage the same, and means on the exit side of the shoulder to engage and bend the projection inwardly in the plane of the key when withdrawing the same.

8. A look utilizing a destructible key having a bendable projection extending beyond the side edge thereof, and adapted to receive a locking element having at least one enlarged portion comprising a lock body having a locking slot to receive and retain the locking element therein, a key slot in the lock body to receive the destructible key and located in the lock body so that the keyobstructs the locking slot, the key slot having a width at its entrance end to pass the key and its projection, a shoulder in the key slot of the lock body, means to move the projection of the key sidewise when inserted within the key slot to enable the projection of the key to engage the shoulder, and means within the key slot to engage the key projection and prevent its inward movement in the plane of the key.

9. A lock utilizing a destructible key having a bendable projection extending beyond the side edge thereof, and adapted to receive a locking element having at least one enlarged portion comprising a lock body having a locking slot to receive and retain the locking-element therein, a key slot in the lock body to receive the destructible key and located in the lock body so that the key obstructs the locking slot, the key slot having a width at its entrance end to pass the key and its projection and an exit width approximately the Width of the key, a shoulder in the key slot of the lock body to engage the key projection and prevent withdrawal of the key from the key slot, means within the key slot to move the projection of the key sidewise when inserted within the key slot to enable the projection of the key to engage the shoulder, means within the key slot to prevent the key projection from being moved .in-

wardly, and means on the exit side of the notch to engage and bend the projection inwardly in the plane of the key when withdrawing the same. a

10. A lock utilizing a destructible key having a bendable projection extending beyond the side edge thereof and adapted to receive a locking element having at least one enlarged-portion comprising a lock body having a locking slot to re- 8,. ceive and retain the locking element therein, a key slot in the lock body to receive the destructible key and located in the lock body so that the key obstructs the locking .slot, the key slot having a width at its entrance end to pass the key and its projection, a shoulder in the key slot of the lock body to engage the key projection and prevent withdrawal of the key from the slot, means within the key slot to engage the projection of the key and prevent the projection on the key from being bent in the plane of the key, and means on the exit side of the shoulder to engage and bend the projection inwardly in the plane of the key when withdrawing the same.

.11. A look utilizing a destructible key having a bendable projection extending beyond the side edge thereof, and adapted to receive a locking element having at least one enlarged portion comprising a lock body having a locking slot to receive and retain the locking element therein, a key slot in the lock body to receive the destructible key and located in the lock body so that the key obstructs the locking slot, the key slot having a width at its entrance end to pass the key and its projection and an exit width approximately the width of the key, a shoulder in the key slot of the lock body, means extending from the key slot to move the projection of the key sidewise when inserted within the key slot to enable the projection of the key to engage the shoulder, and means on the exit side of the notch to engage and bend the projection inwardly in the plane of the key when withdrawing the same.

12. A look and key combination adapted to receive a locking element having at least one enlarged portion comprising a destructible key having a head and a key locking projection upon a portion thereof which is projected into a lock body and extending beyond the side edge thereof, the key projection being bendable laterally and in the plane of the key, a lock body having a locking slot to receive and retain the locking element therein, a key slot in the body to receive the destructible key and located therein so that the key obstructs the locking slot, the key slot having a width at its entrance end to pass the key and its projection, a projection within the key slot to move the locking projection of the key laterally when inserted within the key slot, a shoulder carried by the lock body to be en gaged by the key projection, and means in the exit end of the key slot to bend the projection in the plane of the key when removing the same.

13. A lock and key combination adapted to receive a locking element having at least one enlarged portion comprising a destructible key having a head and a key locking projection extending beyond the side edge thereof, the key projection being bendable in a lateral direction and an inward direction, a lock body having a. locking slot to receive and retain the locking element therein, a key slot in the body to receive the destructible key and located therein so that the key obstructs the locking slot, the key slot having a width at its entrance end to pass the key and its projection, means within the key slot to move the locking projection of the key in one direction when inserted within the key slot, a shoulder in the key slot of the lock body and located to be engaged by the key projection when the head abuts the lock body to lock the key therein, and the shoulder engaging the key projection and preventing bending of the key pro- 1jzection in an inward direction to release the ey. Y

:a, lock body having a locking slot to receive and :retain the locking element therein, a key slot in the body to receive the destructible key and located therein so that the key obstructs the looking slot, the key slot having a Width at its entrance end to pass the key and its projection, a projection within the key slot having a camming surface on the insert side thereof to move the locking projection of the key sidewise when inserted within the key slot, a shoulder in the key slot of the lock body and located to be engaged by the key projection when the head abuts the lock body, and the shoulder engaging the key projection and preventing inward bending of the key projection in the plane of the key.

15. A look and key combination adapted to receive a locking element having at least one enlarged portion comprising a destructible key having a head and a bendable projection upon the portion projected into a lock body, the projection being bendable laterally and in the plane of the key, a lock body having a locking slot to receive and retain the locking element therein, a key slot in the body to receive the destructible key and located therein so that the key obstructs the locking slot, a shoulder in the key slot of the lock body, means on the insert side of the shoulder to move the projection of the key sidewise when inserted within the key slot to enable the projection of the key to ride over the shoulder and engage the same, and means in the exit end of the key slot to bend the projection in the plane of the key when removing the same.

16. A lock and key combination adapted to receive a locking element having at least one enlarged portion comprising a destructible key having a head and a bendable projection upon the portion projected into a lock body, the projection being bendable sidewise and inwardly, a lock body having a locking slot to receive and retain the locking element therein, a key slot in the body to receive the destructible key and located therein so that the key obstructs the locking slot, a shoulder in the key slot of the lock body, means on the insert side of the shoulder to move the projection of the key sidweise when inserted within the key slot to enable the projection of the key to ride over the shoulder and engage the same, and means on the exit side of the shoulder to engage and bend the projection inwardly in the plane of the key when withdrawing the same.

17. A look and key combination adapted to re ceive a locking element having at least one enlarged portion comprising a destructible key having a head and a bendable projection extending beyond the side edge thereof, a lock body having a locking slot to receive and retain the locking element therein, a key slot in the body to receive the destructible key and located therein so that the key obstructs the locking slot, the key slot having a width at its entrance end to pass the key and its projection and an exit width approximately the width of the key, a shoulder in the key slot of the lock body, means within the lock body on the insert side of the shoulder to move the projection of the key sidewise when inserted within the key slot to project the key over the shoulder and engage the same.

18. A look and key combination adapted to re- 10 ceive a locking element having at least one enlarged portion comprising a destructible key having a head and a bendable projection extending beyond the side edge thereof, a lock body having a locking slot to receive and retain the locking element therein, a key slot in the body to receive the destructible key and located therein so that the key obstructs the locking slot, the key slot having a widthat its entrance end to pass the key and itsprojection and an exit width approximately the width of the key, a shoulder in the key slot of the lock body, means within the lock body on the insert side of the shoulder to move the projection of the key sidewise when inserted within the key slot to project the key over the shoulder and engage the same, and means on the exit side of the shoulder to engage and bend the projection inwardly in the plane of the key when withdrawing the same.

19. A look and key combination adapted to receive a locking element having at least one enlarged portion comprising a destructible key having a head and a bendable locking projection extending beyond the side edge thereof, a lock body having a locking slot to receive and retain the locking element therein, a key slot in the body to receive the destructible key and located therein so that the key obstructs the locking slot, the key slot having a width at its entrance end to pass the key and its projection and an exit width approximately the width of the key, a projection within the key slot having a camming surface on the insert side thereof to move the locking projection of the 'key sidewise when inserted within the key slot, the projection in the key slot having a shoulder on the exit side to be engaged by the locking projection, and means on the exit side of the shoulder to engage and bend the locking projection on the key inwardly in the plane of the key when withdrawing the same.

20. A lock and key combination adapted to receive a locking element having at least one enlarged portion comprising a destructible key having a head and a bendable locking projection extendin beyond the side edge thereof, a lock body having a locking slot to receive and retain the locking element therein, a key slot in the body to receive the destructible key and located therein so that the key obstructs the locking slot, the key slot having a width at its entrance end to pass the key and its projection and an exit width approximately the Width of the key, a projection within the key slot having a camming surface on the insert side thereof to move the locking projection of the key sidewise when inserted within the key slot, the projection in the key slot having a shoulder on the exit side to be engaged by the key projection, and a camming edge in the key slot on the exit side of the shoulder to engage and bend the key projection on the key inwardly in the plane of the key when withdrawing the same.

21. A look and key combination adapted to receive a locking element having at least one enlarged portion comprising a destructible key having a head and a bendable locking projection extending beyond the side edge thereof, a lock body having a locking slot to receive and retain the locking element therein, a key slot in the body to receive the destructible key and located therein so that the key obstructs the locking slot, the key slot having a width at its entrance end to pass the key and its projection, a projection within the key slot to move the locking projection of the key sidewise when inserted within the key 1 1 slot, meansin the key slot engageclby the locking projection on the key to 'prevent removal of the key, and. means inthe key slot engaged by the locking projection on the key to prevent bending the projection inwardly in the plane of the key.

JACOB'RIFKIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references. are of record in the tile or this patent:

I UNITED STATES -ATENTS Number 7 Date Name Gale et a1 Mar. 23', 1875 Hopkins July 23, 1878 Hunt Apr. 21, 1896 Reeve Oct. 11, 1898 Jones May 20, 1902 Ciernia Nov. 25, 1913 Reilly Mar. 9-, 1915 OConnor Oct. 21, 1924 Soley Mar. 17, 1925 Heeren et a1 May 9, 1933 

